Plumbly Meets Miqati: International Community Remains United in Support of Lebanon’s Security

U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly discussed on Friday with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati the preparations for the inaugural meeting of the International Support Group on Lebanon.

He said after the talks: “The international community remains united in its support for Lebanon’s security and stability during this period.”

“The International Support Group meeting will focus on support for stability in Lebanon against the backdrop of the Syrian crisis, and three priority areas for international assistance: to refugees and vulnerable communities, structural and financial support to the government of Lebanon; and support to the Lebanese army,” he added.

The meeting will be convened by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and is scheduled to take place in New York on September 25 on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly.

Plumbly and Miqati also discussed the situation in Lebanon and the region.

The U.N. official stressed the importance of Lebanon’s policy of dissociation and the principles of the Baabda Declaration given the tense regional situation in light of the recent developments in the Syrian crisis.

He also highlighted the need for the formation of a capable government as soon as possible “in order to have an effective partner in all the areas of cooperation between Lebanon and the U.N.”

Syrian refugees have been pouring into Lebanon since the eruption of the uprising in their country in March 2011.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees said that more than two million Syrians have now fled their war-ravaged country.

France in cooperation with Ban has called for an international conference on the sidelines of the the General Assembly meeting in New York to establish a fund for the refugees.

The conference is expected to discuss ways to provide the necessary assistance to Lebanon to help it confront the rising number of the displaced.